The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a classic American novel. The book explores 1920s American culture and the American Dream. The Great Gatsby provides substantial evidence to support and disprove my position statement can be supported and proven untrue at the same time.
The 1920s in America was a revolutionary period that saw the development of a modern nation and created a "new era" that challenged traditional social restraints. This "new era" was marked by affluence and cultural frivolity which is displayed heavily in the story. For example, Gatsby and Tom Buchannan's magnificent wealth including spectacular cars and huge mansions represent the affluence of the time period. The cultural frivolity is demonstrated through the elaborate parties Gatsby throws and the description of women throughout the novel. The novel reflects the ever emerging secular view of womanhood during the period. Women who challenged their traditional gender role were known as "flappers." Daisy and Jordan are women who exhibit this new "flapper" women both in dress and attitude. Both characters engage in rebellious "flapper" activities such as smoking, drinking, dancing, dressing in seductive clothing and makeup, and of course attending lively parties. The popular 1920s culture view is evident throughout.
The first section of my position statement talks about the country being "a nation of inventors," and their is ample evidence within the novel of American inventions that were revolutionizing the Unites States. Industrial innovations and new inventions such as the radio that utilized commercial broadcasting,became popular technology and had profound impact on the American consumer culture. One of most significant invention were the new faster and more attractive types of cars that were being developed during that time. Cars and other expensive commodities are consistently brought to attention in Gatsby because he was rich and could afford most of the luxuries the era offered. In addition to inventors, an increase entrepreneurs during the 1920s is shown in Gatsby. Gatsby himself is a entrepreneuring bond salesmen (although corrupt). In a way entrepreneurs were inventors themselves because they "constructed" bushiness plans and created companies with there own form of ingenuity.
The novel connects directly to the second element of my position statement that claims The Unites States of America's first invention was noble invention was human liberty. An underlying analysis of American culture is preformed as the novel progresses under the main plot. An extensive evaluation of the 1920s culture is revealed. The drama of the book's main plot adds to the overall validity the of the 1920s as a turbulent era. A revitalized American economy contributed to the spectacular growth and development that initiated a dramatic change in American culture. Many people began to embrace the belief that the 1920s was a time of liberation and were called upon to reject traditional social restraints. In addition to the "flapper" another aspect of a traditional and modern social conflict is examined. The clash between traditional and modern values is demonstrated from the very beginning with the contrast of Tom’s East Egg “old money”/ more fashionable side of the harbor and Gatsby’s “new money”/ extravagant West Egg side. Traditional wealthy people were clashing with new wealthy people and poor people began to realize that wealth gave people the most freedom and opportunities. The Great Gatsby are Gatsby himself a prime examples of how The Unites State's view on true American liberty has matured overtime and the public ongoing pursuit for more freedom.
The Great Gatsby can also be used to disprove my position statement by uncovering the corrupt and materialistic aspects of American culture that hurt freedom and progress. American obsession with excessive wealth is ridiculed. Gatsby speeds his whole life gaining wealth and social prestige to win back the women he loves. Unfortunately Gatsby fails as he faces an American society that is filled with cruelty and fraud which he is intertwined. This ultimately kills Gatsby (literally) it kills him. Despite differing interpretation about the meaning, the book provides a valuable examination into American society.
His Dream
Gatsby's American dream is winning back daisy Buchanan. In the novel the green light at the end of the dock shows that he has been looking after Daisy from a distance and his American Dream is just out of reach. He verifies the dock lights symbolism or hints at it when he states, "If it wasn't for the mist we could see your home across the bay... You always have a green light that burns all night at the end of your dock" (chapter 5). It shows his that he lost his long loss lover, but his love for her has been constantly burn just like the light. The light represents Gatsby in a way, because the light is sitting there waiting and sending out a beacon of light (his elaborate parties) trying to single Daisy. It is unfortunate that Gatsby didn't achieve his life dream, it was such a good love story!
The 1920s in America was a revolutionary period that saw the development of a modern nation and created a "new era" that challenged traditional social restraints. This "new era" was marked by affluence and cultural frivolity which is displayed heavily in the story. For example, Gatsby and Tom Buchannan's magnificent wealth including spectacular cars and huge mansions represent the affluence of the time period. The cultural frivolity is demonstrated through the elaborate parties Gatsby throws and the description of women throughout the novel. The novel reflects the ever emerging secular view of womanhood during the period. Women who challenged their traditional gender role were known as "flappers." Daisy and Jordan are women who exhibit this new "flapper" women both in dress and attitude. Both characters engage in rebellious "flapper" activities such as smoking, drinking, dancing, dressing in seductive clothing and makeup, and of course attending lively parties. The popular 1920s culture view is evident throughout.
The first section of my position statement talks about the country being "a nation of inventors," and their is ample evidence within the novel of American inventions that were revolutionizing the Unites States. Industrial innovations and new inventions such as the radio that utilized commercial broadcasting,became popular technology and had profound impact on the American consumer culture. One of most significant invention were the new faster and more attractive types of cars that were being developed during that time. Cars and other expensive commodities are consistently brought to attention in Gatsby because he was rich and could afford most of the luxuries the era offered. In addition to inventors, an increase entrepreneurs during the 1920s is shown in Gatsby. Gatsby himself is a entrepreneuring bond salesmen (although corrupt). In a way entrepreneurs were inventors themselves because they "constructed" bushiness plans and created companies with there own form of ingenuity.
The novel connects directly to the second element of my position statement that claims The Unites States of America's first invention was noble invention was human liberty. An underlying analysis of American culture is preformed as the novel progresses under the main plot. An extensive evaluation of the 1920s culture is revealed. The drama of the book's main plot adds to the overall validity the of the 1920s as a turbulent era. A revitalized American economy contributed to the spectacular growth and development that initiated a dramatic change in American culture. Many people began to embrace the belief that the 1920s was a time of liberation and were called upon to reject traditional social restraints. In addition to the "flapper" another aspect of a traditional and modern social conflict is examined. The clash between traditional and modern values is demonstrated from the very beginning with the contrast of Tom’s East Egg “old money”/ more fashionable side of the harbor and Gatsby’s “new money”/ extravagant West Egg side. Traditional wealthy people were clashing with new wealthy people and poor people began to realize that wealth gave people the most freedom and opportunities. The Great Gatsby are Gatsby himself a prime examples of how The Unites State's view on true American liberty has matured overtime and the public ongoing pursuit for more freedom.
The Great Gatsby can also be used to disprove my position statement by uncovering the corrupt and materialistic aspects of American culture that hurt freedom and progress. American obsession with excessive wealth is ridiculed. Gatsby speeds his whole life gaining wealth and social prestige to win back the women he loves. Unfortunately Gatsby fails as he faces an American society that is filled with cruelty and fraud which he is intertwined. This ultimately kills Gatsby (literally) it kills him. Despite differing interpretation about the meaning, the book provides a valuable examination into American society.
His Dream
Gatsby's American dream is winning back daisy Buchanan. In the novel the green light at the end of the dock shows that he has been looking after Daisy from a distance and his American Dream is just out of reach. He verifies the dock lights symbolism or hints at it when he states, "If it wasn't for the mist we could see your home across the bay... You always have a green light that burns all night at the end of your dock" (chapter 5). It shows his that he lost his long loss lover, but his love for her has been constantly burn just like the light. The light represents Gatsby in a way, because the light is sitting there waiting and sending out a beacon of light (his elaborate parties) trying to single Daisy. It is unfortunate that Gatsby didn't achieve his life dream, it was such a good love story!
The 1920's Social Categories
“There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired” (79) is a quote at the end of chapter four in The Great Gatsby by Nick Caraway, outlining the four categories he believes everybody falls into. I believe Gatsby falls into the pursuing category. Even though he has managed to gain great wealth and obtain a huge mansion with many admirers; he has not regained his lost relationship with Daisy Buchanan who by now is married and has a child. The whole story is about Gatsby trying to win back Daisy. He throws lavish parties and sets up an “accidental” encountering with her at Nick’s house. Gatsby’s obsession with Daisy is professed in a response to Nick’s statement about not trying to repeat the past and ask too much of Daisy. Gatsby responses definitely, “Can’t repeat the past?...Why of course you can!” (111) This shows his dedication to Daisy, and that he is not going to give up on trying to win her back. His unwillingness to accept failure and continuation of the struggling fight to win over Daisy verifies that he falls under the pursuing category of Nick caraway’s definition of types of people.
“There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired” (79) is a quote at the end of chapter four in The Great Gatsby by Nick Caraway, outlining the four categories he believes everybody falls into. I believe Gatsby falls into the pursuing category. Even though he has managed to gain great wealth and obtain a huge mansion with many admirers; he has not regained his lost relationship with Daisy Buchanan who by now is married and has a child. The whole story is about Gatsby trying to win back Daisy. He throws lavish parties and sets up an “accidental” encountering with her at Nick’s house. Gatsby’s obsession with Daisy is professed in a response to Nick’s statement about not trying to repeat the past and ask too much of Daisy. Gatsby responses definitely, “Can’t repeat the past?...Why of course you can!” (111) This shows his dedication to Daisy, and that he is not going to give up on trying to win her back. His unwillingness to accept failure and continuation of the struggling fight to win over Daisy verifies that he falls under the pursuing category of Nick caraway’s definition of types of people.
I wrote the paragraph above for an assignment in English class and I thought it was important to insert in this final project. It demonstrates meaningful concepts in the book and also gives incite into what the book Great Gatsby is really about. It provides shows the cut-throat economic and business and also the general competitiveness of Americans. Lastly it shows how dedicated and concentrated Gatsby is in relation to his American Dream.